Today in the Past

Today, February 21, 1898, Dr. T. H. Pardo de Tavera, who is in favor of a Philippine Republic under American protection, says that he is the most ardent defender of that idea and its principal propagandist.

Aguinaldo and his Cavite group represented the temporizing and moderating forces that took over the Revolution from Bonifacio. The illustrados constituted the collaborationist forces that actively encouraged Aguinaldo's own conciliatory attitude toward the Americans. Some of these illustrados who took over in Malolos after the people's victories over the Spanish army, made "independence" under American protection a distinct possibility. Aguinaldo's cabinet was banned by prominent illustrados.

In fact, even as they accepted posts in the Malolos government, some of these men were expressing their willingness to collaborate with the Americans. Arellano and Tavera were early believers in annexation, while Benito Legarda had once told the Belgian consul in Manila that "he would be glad to see the United States take these islands under their protection and put an end to the constant appeal for funds from the rebels."

T. H. Pardo de Tavera, Cayetano Arellano, Gregorio Araneta and Benito Legarda went over to the Americans prior to the outbreak of hostilities. And despite the fact that Tavera had never been in sympathy with the Revolution against Spain, and despite his pro-American sympathies and his desire to see the establishment of American sovereignty, he was appointed by Aguinaldo on September 15 to represent the province of Cebu in the Malolos Congress.